State Government partnership with GRDC to grow value of WA grains industry

The State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to working in partnership with the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) to drive the long-term growth and profitability of the State’s $5 Billion grains industry.

Agriculture and Food Minister Dean Nalder met with GRDC board representatives recently to discuss ongoing collaboration and research and development priorities.

Mr. Nalder said the State Government and the GRDC had a long-standing, productive working relationship, which would continue to evolve to support the success of the grains industry in an increasingly challenging environment.

“We have full confidence that the GRDC’s investment in WA is advancing the prosperity of our growers and the WA grains sector as a whole.” Mr. Nalder said.

“The corporation understands the needs of WA grain growers and has an established union with the Department of Agriculture and Food to undertake targeted research and development projects that generate measurable benefits.”

Mr. Nalder said the discussions also addressed the need for a commercially focused business model to advance grains research and development for the future.

“The State Government will continue to work closely with the GRDC, the WA grains industry through the Grains Industry Group, and other research providers to pursue a suitable structure that delivers high quality research and development to ensure commercial outcomes for industry.” Mr. Nalder said.

“While this process is well advanced, I am keen to explore all avenues to ensure the best model to deliver productivity and profitability benefits to grain growers and the sector as a whole.”

Fact File

The WA grains industry is the State’s largest agricultural sector, with a farm gate value of $5.5 Billion (2014-15)

WA is the nation’s largest wheat producer, exporting 9.2 Million tonnes of wheat in 2014-15. Indonesia is the largest single market